All Inclusive Vacations F.A.Q.

We are often asked here at  The Way To Go Travel  

Should I go all inclusive or not on your next vacation? Whats included in the quote you give me?

Keep in mind all inclusive resorts are not found in Hawaii.....but are a great option in Mexico and The Caribbean !!

What is typically included in an all-inclusive resort/vacation?
Although the definition of all-inclusive can vary from resort to resort, standard inclusions would be all of your meals, beverages, taxes, tips, room service, shows and entertainment and on-site activities such as non-motorized water sports. Items in your room such as bottled water, snacks, toiletries and mini-bar, items are almost always included at no additional charge. Check with your travel agent for a full list of amenities and services as part of their all-inclusive plan. 

 

What types of amenities or services typically aren’t included with an all-inclusive hotel?
Included services and amenities will vary by hotel, but typically spa treatments, outside telephone calls, casinos/gambling, special occasion packages, babysitting services and destination excursions are some exceptions that typically are not included in the all-inclusive vacation price. Unless you purchase a service or amenity at your hotel that is not part of the all-inclusive plan, you will not have to worry about any additional or hidden fees after paying for your initial reservation.

 

What activities are available as part of an all-inclusive plan?
All-inclusive resorts are experienced at making sure you have enough options to be as active as possible. In addition to the non-motorized water sports that are usually offered (snorkeling, scuba lessons,  kayaks, etc.), many all-inclusive resorts also offer a variety of free daily activities such as tennis, exercise facilities, kids’ clubs and playgrounds, pool activities and more. Numerous all-inclusive resorts offer nightlife options from on-site discotheques to live shows and music that guests can enjoy free of charge.

 

What dining options are available at an all-inclusive resort?
Dining options at an all-inclusive resort are typically abundant and offer an array of cuisine ranging from local specialties to international gourmet dining options. Most all-inclusive resorts also offer at least one a-la-carte restaurant in addition to buffet options with frequently changing menu options and even theme nights. Depending on the resort, reservations may be required at some a-la-carte restaurants, so check with your travel agent or hotel for information on reservation requirements or options for special dietary needs you may have while on vacation.

 

How much cash should I carry?
Leave your wallet in your room! Cash is not needed for meals, beverages & gratuities as these are included in the cost of an all-inclusive vacation. It is recommended to bring credit cards and a sufficient amount of cash for additional expenses such as spa treatments, telephone and internet services, special occasion packages or services, babysitting services, shopping, and destination excursions. Travel safety tip - bring multiple forms of payment (credit card vs. cash) and keep in more than one place! Most all-inclusive hotels also offer complimentary in-room safes where you can store your valuables.

 Of course for your free quote on your next vacation contact us

Happy Traveling

Ron Trimper 

owner, travel agent and vacation specialist

The Way To Go Travel

www.thewaytogotravel.com 

816-392-5880

888-750-0825

 

Island hoppping in Hawaii

Not sure of which island to visit in Hawaii?


"Island hopping" is a very exciting Hawaiian adventure! In fact, one out of three travelers to Hawaii visits two or more islands during his vacation. The key is to plan in advance, and try to spend 4-5 days per island if you don't want to feel rushed. Oahu is the only island where 1-2 days are enough if you just want to see Waikiki Beach and Honolulu.

   You can travel from one island to another on a 30-minute inter-island flight. A car rental is the best way want to explore any island - there is no public transportation, except in Honolulu.


  

Why are there no all inclusives in Hawaii?

Q: Are there any all-inclusive resorts in Hawaii?

A: There are no all-inclusive resorts in Hawaii because quite frankly, there is no need for them. Hawaiian islands offer such a great variety of cuisine and places to eat, you can find anything from McDonald's to charming local-style cafes to upscale world-class restaurants. Many of those places will be just a short drive away from your hotel! That is why most travelers prefer to book accommodations without any meals included, and take full advantage of the dining options available to add to their vacation experience.

In short Hawaiians want you to get out and explore their islands, not stay at the resort all day. 


Ron Trimper

Hawaii Travel Specialist
Tropical Vacation Specialist
The Way To Go Travel
888-750-0825
816-392-5880

Just had to share this .......

They Know More Than You Do!

By Mark Murphy
June 13, 2012 11:45 PM

The next time you think about booking a vacation, consider these facts: The search term “Caribbean Cruise” brings a return of 38,300,000 results  with headlines ranging from “75% Off” to “Cruises from $149.”
Choose the price offer from $149 and you’ll see a matrix of prices that don’t include the “$149” offer, but do include a Carnival offer from $229.  Go through the process to actually book that cabin and you’ll end up with a price for two that actually hits $595.40, a far cry from the $149 Google Adwords price that came up in search results.


It gets better when you scroll down to the bottom after entering all of your information to discover that “this stateroom has upper/lower (bunk) beds that do not convert to a king bed.” Frustrated yet?
Most consumers are frustrated as they start to grasp that booking travel on their own is not quite as simple as buying a book from Amazon.com. They realize that a deal isn’t exactly a deal, and they are unaware of many hidden costs that aren’t in the advertised prices. Resorts fees, change fees, fuel surcharges, baggage fees -- the list goes on and on.


Sometimes consumers like to find that “great” deal on their own because they feel empowered by their ability to control their own destiny. They think, incorrectly, that they are saving money in the process. The confidence they exhibit takes a hit when they spend hours working out the details of their trip and grow more frustrated at the choices, lack of insight and logistics that have to be handled. That lack of confidence turns into a feeling of despair when they learn that they could have had someone handle all of this, at no additional cost to them, just by using a travel agent.


That’s right, most of the things a travel agent can do for consumers are paid by suppliers that see the value in using travel agents to connect with travelers. Why do they do this? It’s simply a more effective way of earning consumers’ business.  Travel supplier booked through a travel agent have no cost of sales associated with that transaction until after the consumer has booked, paid and traveled.


It’s strictly pay for performance and offers a tremendous value for suppliers.  Indeed, you’ll see many suppliers say through their advertising to “call your travel agent,” because they don’t want to spend hours answering questions posed by consumers. They also know there’s someone who already knows consumers’ needs and is familiar with them -- the travel agent.


Now you might still be thinking: “I can do it myself and save money by getting a cheaper price.” Think again. There’s this thing called parity pricing and almost everyone follows it. That means the price is the same no matter where the product is purchased. So you really should use a travel agent on your next travel booking. A travel agent simply knows more than you do when it comes to booking travel.
Mark Murphy is president and CEO of Travalliance Media, parent of TravelPulse.com, Agent@Home magazine, Vacation Agent magazine, Travel Agent Academy, Virtual Travel Events and Agent Studio.